ISIS recruits from India goes up to 28

New Delhi, Dec 23: The number of ISIS recruits from India has gone up to 28 as per the latest data available. While a month ago, the figures suggested that there were 23 Indians who were with the ISIS either in Syria or Iraq, five more persons have reportedly joined the outfit taking the number up to 28.

Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that these are not new developments, but the four persons could have joined the ISIS as early as September-October itself.

Three cases have been reported from Maharashtra. The other two are suspected to be SIMI members who are absconding since the past two years ever since they escaped from a jail in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.

33 more persons under the radar:

While the official figure today stands at 28, unofficially agencies claim that the number could be at 61. While we have official confirmation that 28 are with the ISIS, the whereabouts of 33 more persons are under scrutiny, the Intelligence Bureau official also informed.

In most of these cases where the 33 persons are concerned, missing complaints have been lodged. We are working closely with the agencies in Syria and Iraq, the officer stated. He also stated that they are tracking these persons to find out if they have really joined the ISIS or not.

The Intelligence Bureau has an exclusive cell to track the movements of ISIS recruits. Over the past year, the IB has managed to stop at least 40 persons from fleeing the country and trying to join the ISIS. It is more important that we try and stop persons from joining the outfit and in all these cases, the local police and elders have managed to counsel such persons and ensure that they do not attempt joining the outfit, the officer also noted.

OneIndia News